Former Everton and Ipswich Town man Luke Garbutt on where Neil Critchley sees him fitting into Blackpool's plans

Recent signing Luke Garbutt expects to predominately play as a left-back for Blackpool this season, but has no qualms about featuring further up the pitch.
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Former Everton and Ipswich Town man Luke Garbutt makes first Blackpool appearanc...

The 27-year-old often turned out on the left wing during his season-long loan spell with Ipswich Town last season.

With left-backs Demetri Mitchell and James Husband already part of Blackpool’s squad, that led to suggestions Garbutt could be utilised further forward.

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But Garbutt told The Gazette that’s not how head coach Neil Critchley sees things.

“With the style in which the manager wants to play, he predominately sees me as a full-back which is completely normal for me as that’s my normal position,” Garbutt said.

“I have played as a winger and further forward at times at Ipswich and I’d be happy to do that as well.

“As long as I’m being productive for the team and helping the team, I’m happy to play anywhere down that left hand side.

Luke Garbutt often played on the wing for Ipswich Town last seasonLuke Garbutt often played on the wing for Ipswich Town last season
Luke Garbutt often played on the wing for Ipswich Town last season
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“But I think the manager predominately sees me as a full-back.

“We have a young, competitive squad here and with that you’re always going to have a couple of players for each position and I think that’s what the gaffer is trying to do here.

“That’s nothing new to me, so it’s just about getting match fitness and working my way into the team.”

Garbutt featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Preston North End on Tuesday, getting 60 minutes under the belt in the 3-2 defeat.

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The full-back, who is unlikely to be fit for Saturday’s game against Lincoln City, having not featured in a competitive game since March, has been impressed with what he’s seen from his new Blackpool teammates.

“It’s still early days, I’m still getting a gist for the squad,” he said.

“But from what I can tell it’s a young and hungry group that wants to do well, it’s athletic and it’s a team still in transition. We’re still trying to find the right personnel and the right way to gel.

“Nevertheless, the signs are really good and the club wants to move forward and press on and hopefully get promoted.”